Types of tradescantia, their description, possible problems in care, assistance in watering and feeding, choosing a place in the house, breeding tips, frequent diseases and pests. Tradescantia (Latin Tradescantia) is a traditional houseplant that grows for many seasons and looks green regardless of the season, looks like a grass and belongs to the genus Commelinaceae (Latin Commelinaceae). The main natural habitat is the territory of the Argentine and Canadian lands, namely Central, South and North America. The main temperature zones are climate moderation (from 9 to 12). This plant acquired its name in the seventeenth century because of the royal gardener of the English monarch Charles I - John Tradescan the Elder, who was a naturalist and scientist. On various expeditions, he studied the flora of the region where his fate brought him, and had an extensive collection of natural material, consisting of seeds, young shoots and bulbs of all kinds of plants. In his collection of plants, there were also rare specimens that were presented to him by the colonists of both Americas.
Tradescantia is called differently, and it has many, both official and popular names: Setcreasia (lat. Setcreasea), Zerbina (lat. Zerbina) or "women's gossip". Tradescantia is distinguished by its high pickiness in caring for an apartment. Serves for purification of indoor air.
Types of tradescanitia
This genus has more than 70 representatives. Let's present some of them:
Tradescantia zebra or striped (lat. Tradescantia Zerbina). It is sometimes called dangling. Place of growth deciduous forests of the territories of Mexico, independently spread to the Florida lands. It has creeping shoots, the length of which reaches 80 cm. The leaf plates are alternately arranged and take an elliptical shape, reaching up to 10 cm in length and 5 cm in width, sharpening at the end. Shoots and leaf plates have a purple (violet) color underneath. The top side is covered with strips of two colors - a deep emerald hue and silver, the surface itself is shiny, glossy. Flowers in dissolution have three petals and differ in lilac, pink and violet shades.
Tradescantia Blossfeld (lat. Tradescantia blossfeldiana). The area of growth is Argentine territory. It grows for many seasons, it looks like a grass with stems that collect water. Shoots take a creeping look and are slightly raised, painted in red-green color. Leaf plates grow one after another, tightly cover the stem with bases. The shape is elongated or elliptical, the top of the leaf is pointed, the leaf itself reaches up to 8 cm long and 3 cm wide. The shades of the leaf plate are purple at the bottom and deep green and red tint at the top. On the leaf blades, pubescence is observed with whitish, non-adjacent hairs. Pedicels are also quite fluffy and grow in curled pairs. They are located on the top of the shoots or in the leaf axils of the apical leaves. The bracts that surround the inflorescences are different in size and have two leaves. On the flower there are three sepals, of a purple hue, which hang freely and are also covered with thick fuzz. The petals of the flower are dually colored - white below, bright pink above. There are also filaments of stamens, which are located at the bottom of the flower and hang down in the form of white hairs.
Tradescantia flowers do not smell at all, but all kinds of insects and butterflies are very fond of them, since the flowers are quite honey-bearing.
Caring for tradescantia at home
Temperature indicators
Tradescantia grows well in rooms with room temperature or slightly lower. It is best when in the summertime the indicators do not exceed 26 degrees, and in the winter they do not drop below 10. Although, in the meta of natural growth, Tradescantia can withstand even 2 degrees of heat. An additional condition for looking after this plant is pruning it in early spring, since Tradescantia very quickly loses its decorative effect and needs to be updated.
Necessary lighting
Tradescantia normally tolerates both good lighting and lack of it. Low illumination is tolerated by species that do not have patterns on leaf plates. If there is not enough light for the plant, then the leaf pattern becomes less clear and loses its saturation in color, therefore western and eastern windows are suitable. On windows located on the south side, shading is necessary, for example, light curtains or gauze. On the northern windows, you will have to supplement the Tradescantia with variegated colors of leaves. The most unpretentious to light and well-bearing shade is the white-flowered tradescantia.
Necessary watering
Since the leaves and stems of Tradescantia can store water, it is necessary to water it a lot, but monitor so that the moisture in the pan does not stagnate. When the ground on top of the pot dries out, and this can happen in a day or two, then it is necessary to water the plant. In the winter months of the year, watering is reduced. At this time, the flower is watered after three days, but at the same time it is monitored so that the soil is constantly wet. If you do not monitor the stagnation of water in the sump, Tradescantia can rot. Water without alkaline impurities is used for irrigation, for this it is defended for a long time, at least 2 days. It is better to remove Tradescantia from central heating batteries, since hot air is harmful to it. To do this, you need to use thick cardboard or plywood sheet. It is necessary to spray the plant often, especially during the heat, since Tradescantia is very fond of high humidity, more than 60%. Compensation of air humidity by excessive watering is unacceptable.
Tradescantia transplant
Under natural conditions, Tradescantia grows on the surface of the earth, and has corresponding roots - those that are on the surface. Basically, this species is a ground cover plant. The soil in deciduous foxes consists of fallen rotted leaves, forest debris, breathes well and conducts moisture, so the roots of tradescantia are not subject to decay. Therefore, the soil mixture for Tradescantia must be compiled taking into account its natural needs. The soil mixture should be in a ratio of 3: 1: 1: 1 for plants with completely green leaves and 3: 0, 5: 1: 1, 5 for plants and leaf patterns. The composition should include the following ingredients:
- leafy land;
- humus;
- peat;
- sand.
You can use a different composition in a ratio of 1: 2: 1: 1: 1, namely:
- sod land;
- leafy land;
- peat land;
- sand.
That is, the soil mixture must have good nutritional properties, absorb and not retain moisture, and have a non-acidic reaction. You can also use commercial mixtures for flowering plants, but add agroperlite or vermiculite to it for friability in proportions of 3: 1, respectively. Today, specialized stores already have soil for tradescantia.
Small expanded clay (up to 2 cm) is poured at the bottom of the flowerpot and it is better to choose a wider pot that has holes at the bottom to drain excess moisture.
It is better to transplant tradescantia during intensive growth and combine this with updating the appearance of the plant, by pruning elongated shoots - in early spring. The branches that have been cut can be placed in water, where they can stay for a very long time, up to many years. Only the water needs to be renewed and a little fertilizer added to it.
For young plants, it is recommended to renew the pot every year, and for older plants, this procedure is performed every two to three years, depending on whether the roots are visible in the drainage holes.
Fertilizers for tradescantia
It is recommended to feed Tradescantia during its vigorous growth, that is, from spring to summer, preferably once every 10-14 days. Top dressing is chosen with a complex of minerals and organic additives. For species with variegated leaves, you need to be careful with organic fertilizing, as the color of the leaves may disappear. From autumn to the end of winter, feeding is stopped, in extreme cases, it is applied once every two months.
Reproduction of tradescantia
Tradescantia can reproduce in many ways, namely: with the help of seeds, cut shoots or division of the mother plant.
Seeds begin to propagate in early spring, using mini-greenhouses. Sand is added to the peat soil in a ratio of 1: 1 and seeds are sown. Heat indicators should not drop less than 20 degrees. The planted seed box must be sprayed and ventilated constantly. In the 3rd year, the seedlings may bloom.
You can propagate Tradescantia with cut branches all year round, except for the winter months. The twigs should be no longer than 15 cm. The shoots are planted in batches in a flowerpot, this will ensure the beauty of the future Tradescantia bush. At a temperature of no higher than 20 degrees, rooting takes place in a few days. For planting, the following substrate is made up: earth from compost, humus, sand. All of the above is taken one piece at a time. The acidity should not exceed 5.5 Ph. Within a month or two, the plant grows well and is quite decorative.
The division of the Tradescantia bush occurs by dividing it into parts with 3–7 young shoots of the mother bush. The young plant is slightly poisonous and, if sap comes in, can cause minor skin inflammation.
Damage to Tradescantia by diseases and pests
The problem for this plant is insects - aphids, thrips, scale insects and spider mites. Most often, these pests settle in the nodes between the leaf plates, after which the dying off of the green mass and its discoloration are read. Aphids are a lover of young leaves on which they reproduce. Processing with folk remedies is not very useful, since the leaves of tradescantia are too brittle. For pest control, it is recommended to use insecticide spraying solutions. Tradescantia is affected by all kinds of rot.
For care, transplantation and watering of Tradescantia, see here:
